Positive Effects of Modern Technology

Advances in technology profoundly changed society in ways unimagined by earlier generations. Modern technology opens exciting doors and possibilities, notwithstanding the occassional hazard and pitfalls. People use technology to communicate with the outside world, to make new friends, to become informed, and to stay in touch with one another. Modern technology also improves the quality of life for people with serious medical conditions and prevents many deaths from occurring.

During early periods of history, people stayed in long-distance contact with one another by writing letters. This was a risky proposition because letters did not always arrive at their intended destination. Fortunately, modern technology has improved both the speed and the ease of long-distance communication. People are now able to stay in contact with one another through the use of social networking as well as emailing, video conferencing and texting. One of the things most women most enjoy about the Internet is that email allows them to stay in touch with family and friends who no longer live near by.

People use modern technology to gain access to vital information. Free use of Internet and computers at public libraries ensures community wide access. Many people use computers to research types of diseases and explore treatment options. Unemployed or underemployed workers use the Internet to search for jobs and apply for positions that match their skills. People also apply for colleges or job training programs, search for government assistance and benefits, and access legal forms. Students use computers as a valuable research tool for finding online information or locating books related to their research topic.

Although natural disasters cannot be prevented through the use of modern technology, gathering data is critical to saving lives. Volcanologists and seismologists, for example, use data to map geographic areas, establish areas of structural vulnerability, and use sensors to monitor the behavior of volcanoes and earthquakes so that they can predict when a natural disaster is likely to occur. Meteorologists are able to warn people about the onset of hurricanes and floods so that they can make arrangements to evacuate.

Technological progress has revolutionized medical care. Serious illnesses can be prevented by early diagnostic protocols using imaging techniques. For example, a photo-acoustic imaging technique was developed for the early detection of breast cancer. Another hybrid imaging process that uses aspects of positron emission tomography (PET) in combination with magnetic resonance therapy allows medical care practitioners to monitor brain tumors and other conditions in a non-invasive manner. In eye care, retinal implants prevent blindness in patients suffering from retinal deterioration.